Gifts that are sure to float their boats

Boaters always need an extra piece of gear, and that makes it easy at gift-giving time. Here are some ideas that won’t set the buyer back a boatload of cash. Many items do double duty, serving on land and on the water.

A good knife is a key part of every sailor’s gadget inventory, even a standard one of the Swiss Army variety, or a specialized rigging knife. It’s more than a convenience and can be a lifesaver when needed to free a crew member snarled in a tangle.

A folding-pliers combination tool, such as the popular Leatherman brand worn on the belt, finds many uses at sea and on land.

Lights, the efficient LED variety, are always useful and you can always use an extra one or two. For paddlers who need their hands free and find themselves on the water at night, a headlamp variety is the ticket.

Kayakers have a rich trove of gift possibilities. Paddle floats and paddle leashes are always useful. Waterproof paddle suits, on the more expensive side, and cotton or polypropylene underwear, will fend off the cold — if not used now, they will be welcome come spring.

It may not fit under the tree, but a kayak, canoe or paddleboard makes a higher-end gift, starting perhaps in the $400 range. Put a picture under the tree and hide the actual craft in the garage. A word of caution — if you do get a kayak now, unless you are a skilled veteran, wait until spring to try it out. The water is cold.

For boaters who need to gauge the wind, the company Vaavud makes a pocket-size two-cup anemometer that plugs into many iPhones and Android phones. With the company’s app, the phone screen displays wind data. Check vaavud.com for phone compatibility. If an anemometer can be cute, this one is.

Books may be "old tech," but a good read can warm you on a cold winter evening. International Marine, for one, offers a selection of how-to and adventure boating books. Check mhprofessional.com or your favorite retailer for selections and orders.

Waterproof handheld two-way marine radios are a convenience and a safety device ranging from less than $100 up to about $200. Even coastal paddlers might consider carrying one to communicate with other vessels in emergencies.

It may be cold outside, but it’s warm inside at upcoming boat shows, and the tickets make convenient stocking stuffers and are available online. The New York show (nyboatshow.com) runs Jan. 1-5, and the Atlantic City show (acboatshow.com) runs Feb. 5-9.

Nobody wants to dunk their smart phone or iPad, but it happens. A waterproof case, where compatible, will give extra peace of mind.

Think of gloves, that old standby of gift-giving. There are specialized versions for paddlers, and versions for sailors, to protect hands when handling lines.

Personal locator beacons, or PLBs, like the ResQLink by Acr, are the size of a cell phone and can send a signal via satellite and use GPS to pinpoint the wearer’s location for rescuers. Clipped to a life jacket, it can be a real lifesaver if you fall overboard — an impressive bit of technology for under $300. They can be used on land too, while hiking, say.

Where to shop? Check for local boat supply or outdoors stores. The internet can also lead you to sources.